I purchased TVS Jupiter from Downtown TVS, Anand in Gujarat in November 2014 after a short test drive. Honda had a long waiting line and TVS showed good promise for the price and hence I purchased the Jupiter. This was, quite frankly, the worst decision I made on how to spend 57, 000 Rupees on a two wheeler.
The test drive vehicle had excellent pick up and throttle response. The vehicle pulled smoothly from stop, and the engine felt truly relaxed and refined( while carrying a payload of about 140kg - me and pillion) . This was what made me choose the vehicle in the first place.
When I took delivery of my vehicle, I quickly realised that neither does the engine feel that zippy nor does the throttle feel that responsive. With just me driving it, my TVS Jupiter took ages to cross 20kmph, and doing 30 took time. I had to wring the throttle some to make it touch 40kmph, and crossing 40 the vehicle seemed really out of breath to the point that it would jerk, as if there is an issue with the fuel line.
A brand new vehicle - no accidents - and I find that if I leave the handlebar, the vehicle dips to the left. I tried this on 5-6 NEW Jupiters in Anand and Nadiad - with the same result.
This was unacceptable, and I emailed TVS within 10 days of delivery, citing the two issues and demanded a new vehicle. TVS responded by having the dealer call me about the issues. I went, and today it is 2016 and I am not satisfied.
- Another moderate issue: The choke is way too tight to operate. The service guys couldn’t diagnose the issue - I did - the customer. I found that the choke cable remains pulled a bit, due to some way the engine and fuel pipes are assembled. Service guys couldn’t resolve the issue.
The vehicle engine performance I could live with, but the steering issue is highly pronounced when there’s a pillion and I have no choice but to sell this vehicle away. I’m so disappointed in TVS service. These guys opened and even broke my fork in the process of trying to repair my vehicle steering issue and then got it welded - at my cost.
The good things about the vehicle are it’s engine note, it’s mileage, it’s wonderful features and ergonomics. The center stand, the instrument console. Wonderful thoughtfulness. But that’s it.
All in all, it has been a horrid TVS experience for me. I like the vehicle ergonomics, the design, some thoughtfulness such as how the kick lever is placed like old Kinetics, but the dynamics and the performance leave so much to be desired.